"These stories aren't pretty and they aren't for the faint of heart. They are realistic, haunting and shocking. And they are all unforgettable. Television reports, movies, newspapers and blogs about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have offered images of the fighting there. But this collection offers voices-powerful voices, telling the kind of truth that only fiction can offer. What makes the collection so remarkable is that all of these stories are written by those who were there, or waited for them at home. The anthology, which features a Foreword by National Book Award winner Colum McCann, includes the best voices of the our wars' generation: Brian Turner, whose poem "Hurt Locker" was the movie's inspiration; Colby Buzzell, whose book My War resonates with countless veterans; Siobhan Fallon, whose book You Know When the Men Are Gone echoes the joy and pain of the spouses left behind; Matt Gallagher, whose book Kaboom captures the hilarity and horror of the modern military experience; and nine others. "--
Smile, there are IEDS everywhere / Jacob Siegel -- Tips for a smooth transition / Siobhan Fallon -- Redeployment / Phil Klay -- The wave that takes them under / Brian Turner -- The train / Mariette Kalinowski -- Raid / Ted Janis -- Play the game / Colby Buzzell -- Television / Roman Skaskiw -- New me / Andrew Slater -- Poughkeepsie / Perry O'Brien -- When engaging targets, remember / Gavin Ford Kovite -- Big two-hearted hunting creek / Brian Van Reet -- Roll call / David Abrams -- And bugs don't bleed / Matt Gallagher -- Red steel India / Roy Scranton.